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Aviation History
1932
1932 - 1216.PDF
FLIGHT, NOVEMBER 24, 1932 Uafunt tUwt CROYDON F OG has been the predominating element throughout the week, which interfered to some extent with the operating of the air services between Croydon and the Continent, particularly during the latter part of the week. The first hold-up occurred on November 17, when the Imperial Airway's " Argosy " G-AACI, which left Croydon approximately an hour later than the S.A.B.E.N.A. air liner for Brussels, landed at Lympne, where the flight was abandoned. G-AACI was operating a supplementary service, carrying goods only, as the fog on the route was very thick and there were no signs of improvement, the " Argosy " returned to Croydon in the afternoon. The S.A.B.E.N.A. air liner, carrying passen gers, reached Brussels safely, completing the journey in 2 hr. 34 min. Two Air Union services were also cancelled in the afternoon. Weather conditions over the Continental air routes on Friday were worse than the previous day, and nine of the air services were cancelled, which included one Imperial Airways, one D.L.H., three K.L.M., and four Air Union. The only company to operate all its services to schedule was the S.A.B.E.N.A. At Croydon, however, the weather was not too bad for flying, and Surrey Flying Services, Ltd., experienced an unusually busy day for the time of the year. A large party of people arrived at the aero drome in four motor coaches, each carrying over thirty persons. Nearly all the visitors made a short pleasure flight. On Saturday the weather conditions became even worse, and all services to and from Croydon were cancelled, with the exception of the S.A.B.E.N.A. 9.30 a.m. to Brussels. The pilot, Capt. Cocquyt (who is the chief pilot of S.A.B.E.N.A.), was convinced that the weather in Brussels would improve. A wireless message received later from Brussels confirmed his convictions, and he left Croydon at 11.54 a.m. with three passengers—a fourth passenger, a young German girl, having decided at the last moment not to go. They reached Brussels by 1 p.m., having covered the distance in 2hr. 6min. Those who know Capt. Cocquyt will also know that this was no experiment of good luck, but a fine example of navigation. It is interesting to note that, although we are nearing the end of 1932, there has not been a single day so far this year that connection with the Continent has not been established. Although fog and drizzle persisted the whole of the day on Saturday, the inclemency of the weather did not deter a large number of visitors from making a tour of the air port. A small oval metal disc with the words " Cirrus Hermes " inscribed thereon, is a new gadget which the Cirrus-Hermes Eng. Co., Ltd., are presenting to private owners using their engines. A space is left in the centre of the disc in which a few words may be displayed, such as " No Smoking " or engine r.p.m., etc. ; also a new and distinctive looking specification covering the range of " Cirrus " and " Hermes " engines has just been published. General Aircraft, Ltd., are at present engaged in the production of fifteen Monospars, and in order to accelerate the rate of production a night shift is permanently em ployed. During the week I had the pleasure of inspect ing the company's workshops, and my time was well spent. To witness a Monospar in the course of production—from a man assembling some small pieces of metal on a jig to the finished machine ready for its tests—is really fascinat ing. There is a jig for every part, and the simple manner in which everything is assembled reminds one of the ease with which a boy assembles models with a meccano set. The first thing that I noticed upon entering the works was the cleanliness of the place ; even the floor was spotlessly clean. The layout of the benches and the systematic way in which everything was done impressed me ; I realised that I was in a model aircraft factory. This splendid organisation of the workshops is entirely due to the untir ing efforts of Mr. Hartman, the works superintendent, who has arranged everything to a point of perfection. Already the company are finding that the factory is not large enough to meet their requirements, and there is every likelihood that they will have to extend their premises in the near future. New equipment is also to be installed and will include a stove-enamelling plant in which a whole wing can be stove-enamelled. The steady growth in the production of aircraft and aero engines at Croydon by General Aircraft, Ltd., and the Cirrus-Hermes Eng. Co., Ltd., respectively is a matter which is adding considerably to the fame of the Empire's greatest airport. Both companies have shown, despite the abnormal and distressing state of commerce generally and particularly during the last twelve months, that not only are they well established, but are also creating a healthy growth, and it is felt that the pendulum of pros perity is swinging in their direction. The Junior Motorboat Club, with a clubroom at the King's Head, King's Street, Twickenham, has been formed by pupils of Rollason, Muir & Rickard. The club is hop ing to acquire a landing ground adjacent to their head quarters at Eel Pie Island, Twickenham. Thus motor- boating may be added to the interests of members of the flying school. The total number of passengers for the week was 928 ; freight, 46 tons 8 cwts. HORATIUS. FROM HESTON S mr-^HE weather on Monday, November 14, was \^) II absolutely impossible for flying owing to thick Tuesday, November 15, gave us a verv doubtful morning, but cleared a bit before noon. Mr. Mark Lacayo, of Comper Swift Co., left Heston with the " Pander " PH-AIK belonging to Herr Ten Bos, for Amsterdam. On Wednesday, November 16, three new pupils joined the School and among the pupils taking instruction were three ladies who, we hope, will shortly join our holders of "A" licences. Lord Willoughby de Broke flew down from Kineton with a friend. By the ilse of his trans mitting and receiving wireless set fitted to his " Puss Moth," Capt. Hope, of Air Taxis, Ltd., flying from Belfast with photos of the visit of H.R.H. the Prince of Wales, was able to talk to Croydon and receive the infor mation that Heston was prepared to put on the lights for a night landing and have a car ready to take the photo grapher to London. Capt. Hope landed within five minutes of Heston receiving the message and the photo grapher was off to town with his plates with no delay. Thursday, November 17, was not a particularly nice day, but Mr. M. Jackaman was off by 10 a.m. in his " Monospar " for the private landing ground of Wing Com. Weir, near, Ayr, with Mrs. Weir, Miss Balfour and one other as passengers. Three machines were ready at 9 a.m. on Friday, Novem ber 18, to take off—two (School machines) for Cannes and one (Banco) for Berck, but after hearing from Croydon that Imperial Airways had cancelled the services it was thought advisable to cancel the proposed trips. The weather most certainly has a lot to answer for as regards interfering with aviation. After lunch on Saturday, November 19, two aviators took the air, but were careful to keep low and close to the aerodrome. This led to others copying their example and among them Mr. " Tony " Gibbons showed off the paces of his " Klemm " (Pobjoy). Sunday, November 20.—Capt. Ferguson took a pupil on a cross-country flight to test his navigational skill, and, although they ran into thick mist, the pupil, fortunately, did the triangular course successfully, as Capt. Ferguson was sitting in the front seat with no compass or map. Capt. Birkett, of Birkett Air Service, spent a busy week, proceeding from Heston to Belfast on Tuesday ; Belfast to Manchester on Wednesday ; Manchester to Bel fast and back to Manchester on Friday ; Manchester to Liverpoql on Saturday and Liverpool to Heston on Sunday. 1138
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